Sunday, February 14, 2010

Love Day

Today is Valentine's day - the international day of love, which sometimes ends up being the international day of cards, chocolate, flowers, and people trying to make up for a year of neglect in one day of romance. I prefer to think of this day as a general opening-of-the-heart day, to remember that we can love better and accept love in our lives too.

Every day is a day to show the people you care about that you love them, and there is no point in having a special day for it. But the truth is that sometimes we all need reminders, when life is stressful or we get caught up in the daily grind and forget to slow down and take time (something I am constantly guilty of), that it's important to take moments each day to just be with the people we love, to send emails to them, or notes, or make a phone call. It doesn't take grand gestures to show someone you love them, not huge boxes of chocolates or expensive jewelry, but just the every-day consideration given, respect shown, and care taken. Today I'm thinking of the people I love, both near and far away, and I'm sending them hugs that squeeze their hearts and make them feel warm inside.